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San Ramon-based Chevron buys Hess for $53 billion, 2nd buyout among major producers this month as oil prices surge

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

By MICHELLE CHAPMAN (AP Business Writer)Chevron is buying Hess Corp. for $53 billion and it’s not even the biggest acquisition in the energy sector this month as major producers seize the initiative while oil prices surge.Crude prices rose sharply in early 2022 with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and are hovering around $90 per barrel after ticking another 9% higher this year, meaning big drillers are flush with cash and looking for places to invest piles of cash.The Chevron-Hess deal comes less than two weeks after Exxon Mobil said that it would acquire Pioneer Natural Resources for about $60 billion.Upward pressure on oil prices are being applied from a number of fronts including the war in Ukraine. Oil markets are being stretched by cutbacks in oil production from Saudi Arabia and Russia, and now, a war between Israel and Hamas runs the risk of igniting a broader conflict in the Middle East. While attacks on Israel do not disrupt global oil supply, according to an analysis by the U...

TasteFood: It’s a wrap! Ground turkey and a zippy sauce make dinner a breeze

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

If you’re looking for a quick and healthy meal that delivers big flavor in less than 30 minutes, make these wraps. They are fresh, flavorful and light, with ground turkey and a smattering of vegetables bundled up in butter lettuce leaves. A short list of Asian pantry items comes together for a sweet and salty umami-rich sauce that encourages extra helpings.This recipe is conveniently flexible and can be dictated by the contents of your refrigerator. Ground chicken or pork can be substituted for the turkey, or use crumbled firm tofu for a vegetarian option. Chopped broccolini, mushrooms and water chestnuts can be added to the list of vegetables. Just be sure to include a few al dente (i.e., crisp-tender) vegetables to give texture to the filling, and cut them in similar size for easy eating.These wraps can be served as a main course or an appetizer. If serving as an appetizer, little gem lettuce leaves can be used to make smaller bites. For a final dab of heat, serve with Srira...

Who-hoo-hoo invited a great horned owl to visit a quiet Campbell neighborhood?

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

DEAR JOAN: We have lived in a quiet residential neighborhood very near downtown for 42 years.Yesterday, a murder of crows was making a terrible racket in our back garden. When we investigated there was a huge great horned owl perched in our next door neighbor’s tree. It was being attacked by the crows. It flew to an adjacent oak and managed to move under the canopy so the crows couldn’t continue to bombard him. It stayed in that oak most of the day.We chased the crows away by tossing a fake dead crow on the roof. It really caused a stir and they all flew away immediately.We’ve never seen such an amazing animal here before. Is this a new phenomenon? Where could it possibly be living? We hope he comes back.By the way, no more crows around here today.— Sharon McCray, CampbellDEAR SHARON: My first experience with a great horned owl was when one chased a rabbit down into a basement window well at my sister’s house in Denver, and then couldn’t get out. They are amazing, fierce and b...

Man who ran meth trafficking biz out of elder care home faces life in prison after conviction

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

(BCN) -- A Vallejo man who ran a methamphetamine trafficking business out of the back of a care home he ran was found guilty of possessing and distributing meth and a weapons charge, U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert announced Friday. After a six-day trial, Henry Benson, 42, was found guilty of conspiracty to distribute and manufacture methamphetamine-laced pillls, four counts of distributing or possessing with intent to sell the pills, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Armed robbery reported in Walnut Creek after prearranged sale goes wrong: police From January 2015 to his arrest in February 2019, Benson produced and sold thousands of meth-laced pills, prosecutors said. He made the pills with a pill press, which compresses powders into tablets. According to prosecutors, Benson created meth pills that looked like traditional Ecstasy pills that were colorful, candy-like tablets in the shape of cartoon characters, well-known company logos like T...

Northwest Bancshares: Q3 Earnings Snapshot

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Northwest Bancshares Inc. (NWBI) on Monday reported third-quarter net income of $39.2 million.On a per-share basis, the Columbus, Ohio-based company said it had net income of 31 cents.The results exceeded Wall Street expectations. The average estimate of four analysts surveyed by Zacks Investment Research was for earnings of 25 cents per share.The holding company for Northwest Savings Bank posted revenue of $182.5 million in the period. Its adjusted revenue was $139.3 million._____This story was generated by Automated Insights (http://automatedinsights.com/ap) using data from Zacks Investment Research. Access a Zacks stock report on NWBI at https://www.zacks.com/ap/NWBISource

Argentine minister’s surprise showing sets up presidential election run-off with right-wing populist

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — Economy Minister Sergio Massa produced a big surprise by finishing first in the opening round of Argentina’s presidential election, reflecting voters’ wariness about handing the presidency to his chief rival, a right-wing populist who upended national politics and pledged to drastically diminish the state.Massa’s victory over Javier Milei, a chainsaw-wielding economist and freshman lawmaker, came despite the fact that on his watch inflation has surged into triple digits, eating away at the purchasing power of salaries and boosting poverty. Still, he wasn’t punished in Sunday’s voting. With nearly all ballots counted early Monday, Massa had 36.7% of the vote and Milei had 30%, meaning the two will go to a Nov. 19 runoff. Most pre-election polls, which have been notoriously unreliable, had given Milei a slight lead over Massa. Former Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, of the main center-right opposition coalition, got 23.8% to finish third in the...

Marc Guiu, de 17 años, se convierte en el debutante más joven en anotar con el Barcelona

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

(CNN) — El joven Marc Guiu solo tardó 23 segundos en hacer historia con el Barcelona al anotar en su debut en la victoria 1-0 del equipo ante el Athletic de Bilbao.Guiu saltó al terreno de juego en el segundo tiempo y, tras recibir un pase de João Félix, batió a Unai Simón con un disparo cruzado.Con 17 años y 291 días, se convirtió en el jugador más joven en anotar un gol en su debut con el Barcelona.“No puedo respirar. Estoy disfrutando del momento, sigo volando”, declaró Guiu tras el partido. “Llevo toda la temporada trabajando duro para aprovechar las ocasiones que se presenten. Cuando vi que el portero salía de su línea, decidí disparar”, añadió.Simón había estado excelente con el Bilbao hasta ese momento, manteniendo el empate con varias paradas de mérito.Al principio del primer tiempo, impidió el gol de Fermín López con los pies, y a mediados de la segunda parte realizó una doble atajada soberbia cuando Félix y López buscaban el primer gol del par...

Rectangular pies inspire this weeknight salami-mozzarella pizza

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

Store-bought dough brings homemade pizza into the realm of easy weeknight cooking. To simplify prep even further, we took a cue from rectangular focaccia-like Sicilian pizza and Roman pizza al taglio.This recipe from our book “Tuesday Nights Mediterranean,” which features weeknight-friendly meals from the region, is for a sheet-pan pizza that doesn’t require dividing and shaping the dough and can be baked in a single batch without a pizza stone.We simply stretch the dough toward the edges of the pan, then top it with crushed tomatoes, cheese, salami and fresh sage. To prevent sticking, oil the baking sheet first with cooking spray, then with olive oil. The oil may seem like an excessive amount, but it adds flavor to the bottom crust and helps it crisp.Though you’re not tossing the dough like a pro, it still pays to get your hands a bit dirty to improve the flavor of the toppings. Tearing the mozzarella into irregular shapes and crushing the canned tomatoes by hand produces bits of d...

Police respond to waterfront crisis involving naked man in Miami

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

A situation unfolded in Miami when authorities rushed to assist a distressed naked man in the water near a sea wall on Brickell Key.On Monday morning, marine units surrounded the man, along with police officers, who were also seen on the sea wall as they attempted to aid in the situation. According to 7SkyForce’s Ralph Rayburn, the man was having issues before he jumped into the ocean. He reportedly was approached by law enforcement when he fled the scene with a knife. After he jumped into the water, he momentarily swam around the east side of Brickell Key for about 10 minutes until marine units arrived. Authorities managed to move him towards the sea wall. Video footage showed a police officer on a boat talking to the man as he held out a life preserver for him to hang onto. Officials are trying to get the man to comply and get him some help. Around 10:30 a.m., marine units were able to get the man onto one of their boats, where he was apparently naked. The man was feet away ...

Warm & Dry to start the work week

Published Mon, 23 Dec 2024 15:37:24 GMT

Another warm and dry day ahead to start the work week in South Florida thanks to high pressure located over the mid-Atlantic states. Throughout the day this distant area of high pressure will help winds gradually increase along the coast. Therefore, a quick-moving shower possible on the breeze starting Tuesday as we tap into some low-level moisture from the Atlantic. For the middle part of the week, our main weather story will be the big breeze. Winds are set to go from breezy to windy due to a larger pressure difference taking place between high pressure and Hurricane Tammy in the Atlantic. This will funnel in strong winds along the coastline driving in a few passing showers and creating choppy to rough seas. King tides also return this week and with a strong onshore flow, nuisance street flooding risk will be higher around the problem spots during times of high tide. Have a wonderful day South Florida and make it a safe one! Vivian GonzalezMeteorologist, AMS Certified WSVN Channel 7